Coming soon
Canon has announced an upcoming firmware update, 7D Firmware Version 2, for the 18 Megapixel EOS 7D that includes a raft of new features to further enhance the capabilities of Canon’s flagship APS-C format DSLR.

The new EOS 7D Firmware Version 2 update will enhance the camera with the following additional features:

IMPROVED RAW MAXIMUM BURSTIn the EOS 7D the maximum burst of RAW file frames was 15 – with the firmware update this will be significantly increased so that the camera’s buffer will handle up to 26 RAW frames in a continuous burst.

IN-CAMERA RAW CONVERSIONThe EOS 7D will allow for in-camera post-processing of images. RAW images can be edited in-camera and options can be changed before saving the finished file as a ready-to-print JPEG or for sending wirelessly. This function can be used with full resolution RAW files, but not with M-RAW or S-RAW files.

IMAGE RATING CAPABILITIESLike other Canon EOS DSLRs, such as the EOS 60D, EOS-1D X and EOS 5D Mark III, the EOS 7D will be able to rate images from 1 to 5 stars in-camera for quicker and easier sorting of images within your workflow. The ratings can be used to sort images in applications such as Adobe Elements, Adobe Bridge and Apple Aperture. The ratings are XMP compliant and Canon’s Digital Photo Professional software has been updated to reflect this.

AUTO ISO MAXIMUM SETTINGWithin the EOS 7D’s shooting menu photographers will have the ability to set a maximum ISO speed for ISO Auto, within the ISO range of 400-6400, so that you can minimise the amount of noise in your images.

MANUAL ADJUSTMENT FOR AUDIO RECORDING LEVELSDuring EOS Movie shooting you will be able to manually adjust the audio recording levels to one of 64 levels, whilst the sound volume during playback can be set to one of 11 levels. During movie recording noise from the aperture is reduced and the camera also has an automatic wind cut filter.

JPEG RESIZINGWithin the camera’s image-recording menu with all JPEG images you will be able to resize the image (for image downsizing) and save it as a new image. Note that the aspect ratio cannot be changed.

SUPPORT FOR THE GP-E2 GPS UNITThe GP-E2 unit arrived with the EOS 5D Mark III and this firmware update will enable the GPS unit to be used with the EOS 7D, via a cable connection, so that photographers can geo-tag images with latitude and longitude data in the EXIF fields.

QUICK CONTROL DURING PLAYBACKWith the Quick Control (Q) button pressed during image playback photographers will be able to select options for protect images, rotate images, rate images, resize images, highlight alert, AF point display and image jump.

FILE NAME SETTINGIn the EOS 7D’s camera settings menu in user setting 1 the first four characters of the file name can be adjusted, whilst in user setting 2 the first three characters of the file name can be adjusted and the fourth will be set automatically according to the recording quality.

TIME ZONE SETTINGWithin the EOS 7D’s camera settings menu you will be able to set the time zone, plus daylight saving time can also be set.

FASTER SCROLLING OF MAGNIFIED IMAGESThe screen scrolling speed will be faster for scrolling through images when they are enlarged. The ease of use is improved when using the camera to zoom in and check focus.

The existing impressive specifications of the EOS 7D include up to 8fps shooting speed, high ISO sensitivity up to 12,800 for low light shooting, an iFCL metering system with a 63-zone Dual-layer Metering Sensor for superbly accurate exposures, plus outstanding in-camera Speedlite Transmitter flash technology.

I wonder if this means a delay in the release of the 7DII. We knew there would be a firmware update to support the GP-E2 and I welcome the increased raw buffer and the auto ISO limit but I hope it doesn't mean it takes years before we see the 7DII

Sound's like horrible news to me on two fronts, and good news on another.

Horrible:1) Perhaps this means there will be no 7DII?2) The one feature they could have added that was a major reason I never bought a 7D in the first place still wasn't added - flexible video crop modes. Come on Canon, even my 550D has a video crop mode!

Good:1) Canon usually doesn't enhance old products. I'm still a bit bitter that a few of the very simple software-only features of the 30D weren't added to my 20D (such as better file and folder naming). Maybe they're finally seeing the light?

Now i'm guessing a 70D is coming this fall that would make the 7D look bad and that we will not be seeing a replacement for the 7D till spring. There also may be another camera above the 7D that comes in October though like a lower end FF camera in the $2000-2700 range still. Maybe Canon is doing that and still wants to sell the 7D so they intro a new firmware to keep it up to date. Canon is still selling the 5DII so maybe they plan on bringing out a much higher end 7D replacement and keeping the 7D in the product line for a while longer.

I wonder if this means a delay in the release of the 7DII. We knew there would be a firmware update to support the GP-E2 and I welcome the increased raw buffer and the auto ISO limit but I hope it doesn't mean it takes years before we see the 7DII

My first impression too. None the less I'm looking forward to the update.

AUTO ISO MAXIMUM SETTING Within the EOS 7D’s shooting menu photographers will have the ability to set a maximum ISO speed for ISO Auto, within the ISO range of 400-6400, so that you can minimise the amount of noise in your images.

Thank You Canon! It's like getting a new camera (almost) for free! I am so glad that Canon decided to do this, I feel like Canon really did the right thing here. They could have just as easily left the 7D alone and introduced a newer version (7D MKII) but they invested in their customers and I for one think that was the right thing to do.